Stackable nestable container

ABSTRACT

An open-ended stackable and nestable wire container having a base, two opposite substantially vertical side walls and a pair of transversely extending bails journalled at their respective ends to the opposite upper corners of the side walls. The bails are swingable inwardly to permit continuous stacking of like containers, or the bails may be swung outwardly to permit continuous nesting of like containers. The container is constructed substantially entirely from wire and the side walls of the container have a thickness of approximately two wire diameters. The end walls of the container are substantially open to permit free access to the goods stored in the container, and the swingable bails interconnect adjacent upper ends of the side walls to provide the container with desired strength and durability and to promote ease of stacking of like containers.

O United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,752,352

Senecal Aug. 14, 1973 [54] STACKABLE NESTABLE CONTAINER 2l4,886 8/1967 Sweden 220/19 [76 Inventor: Yvan Seneca] 347 Tait Cres., St.

] Laurent Motreal 378 Canada Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr.

Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard & Flynn [22] Filed: July 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 160,829 [57] ABSTRACT An open-ended stackable and nestable wire container 52 us. 01. 220/19, 220/97 A, 220/97 E having a base, PP substantially mica! side 511 1m. (:1 nssu 7/20, 865d 21/02 walls and a Pair transversely extending hails [58] Field of Search 220/19 97 A 97 E "ahed at their respective ends the uPPer corners of the side walls. The bails are swingable in- [56] References Cited wardly to permit continuous stacking of like contain- UNITED STATES PATENTS ers, or the bails may be swung outwardly to permit continuous nesting of like containers. The container is cong Hate 20/97 A structed substantially entirely from wire and the side lls774g 4 3g :ulkner walls of the container have a thickness of approxi- 240l'063 5/1946 2 22mg. E mately two wire diameters. The end walls of the con- ZZ8O3I369 8/1957 E X tainer are substantially open to permit free access to 2,856,093 10/1958 Bruce 220/97 A x the goods Stored in the Container, and the Swingable 2,970,714 2/ 1961 Glezen 220/19 bails interconnect adjacent upper ends of the side walls 3,279,641 10/1966 Fredrick..... 220/97 E X to provide the container with desired strength and du- 3,358,868 12/1967 Purucker 220/97 A X rability and to promote ease of stacking of like contain- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l,l87,675 5/1970 Great Britain 220/97 A 15 Claims, 17 Drawing i I Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,352

4 Sheets-Sheet l MLMMMI/ 147 ZOE/V5 V INVENTOR Patented Aug. 14, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lh/ Ma w TE VF. NW N E[ P W m I H m Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,352

4 Sheets-Sheet :3

INVENTQR VV/l/V Sf/VICAL M/ZZKMHM STACKABLE NESTABLE CONTAINER The present invention relates generally to containers; more particularly, this invention relates to a wire-type container which is stackable and nestable and which has moving parts. As used herein, the term stack," or derivatives thereof, refers to placing one container on top of another container without obstructing the payload-carrying space of either container. The term next, or derivatives thereof, refers to placing one container inside the other so that the payload-carrying space of the other container is obstructed.

It is recognized that several types of stackable and nestable containers have been provided for use in connection with a large variety of products and that certain of the features of the present invention are to be found in prior containers. An important feature in the construction of such containers is that, in being openended, they permit easy product accessability and, in being madev of wire or plastic, they provide lightness and visual control over the contents.

One important characteristic in material handling is space. Containers, whether in stacked or nested relationship, must occupy the least possible storage space so that all the space available for transporting or storing the containers may be adequately used. Also, the containers should have a payload-carrying space that is as large as possible. However, because of certain requirements of construction, lost space is inevitable. In some cases, prior containers have tapered side walls and/or ends. In other cases, in order to provide sufficient strength and rigidity, side walls are provided with a thickness equal to that of three or more diameters of wire. In both cases, storage space and/oipayload space is lost when containers, either stacked or nested, are arranged in side-by-side relationship.

Another important characteristic in the construction of containers is the possibility of performing blind stacking, which is an expression used in the trade to indicate that containers may be easily stacked one above the other by an operator who will place one container, or only a portion of one container, on top of another container and then simply slide the top container until it finds its proper stacking position on the bottom container, instead of having to accurately position and then lower the superposed container onto the lower container. Blind stacking is thus an essential timeand labor-saving factor.

Known nesting-stacking wire containers, particularly baskets, generally consist of two difi'erent types, the first being baskets not having any movable parts and the second being baskets having movable parts. However, baskets with movable parts are generally heavier,

bulkier, and structurally more complex than basketshaving no moving parts. Thus, baskets having no moving parts are more widely used.

Considering first baskets having no movable parts and which use the flow motion" principle, baskets of this type have a continuous peripheral wire element at their upper ends. They are advantageous because they are relatively easy to stack from all four directions and are also relatively easy to nest. However, the nesting operation requires a rocking movementto permit one end of the basket to be initially nested, whereupon a reverse rocking or tilting movement is required to permit the other end to nest. Baskets of this type are also desirable since the operator does not feel the load to such a degree because he can place a portion of one basket on top of another basket and then slide the basket into position for stacking. These baskets are thus capable of performing blind stacking. However, baskets of this type are relatively heavy, for example, a basket for handling loaves of bread weighs 12 to 14 pounds, and they have relatively thick walls, such as 3 to 6 wire diameters thick. This thus makes the baskets rather bulky and wasteful of space when the baskets are disposed in sideby-side relation. Baskets of this type also cannot be nested continuously, but rather can only be nested within groups containing a predetermined number of baskets, which groups must then be stacked one upon the other. Further, baskets of this type, when stacked, generally transfer the load by means of a cantilever arrangement, which necessarily requires a stronger and heavier basket construction. In the present context, the term cantilever" refers to the positional relationship of the parts which transfer the load of an upper container to the adjacent lower container when the baskets are stacked. Specifically, the load of the upper basket is transferred from the peripheral wire element to the uprights of the adjacent lower basket. The greater the spacing'(both laterally and longitudinally of the basket) between (1) the positions at which the load of the upper basket is applied to the peripheral wire element of the lower basket and (2) the closest uprights of the lower basket, the greater is the cantilever loading. It is desired to minimize cantilever loading at the upper part of the container in order to make it unnecessary to provide reinforcement thereat, because such reinforcement increases the cost and may increase the space requirements for the container.

Baskets having no movable parts and which operate on the positioning principle do not have a continuous peripheral wire support element at their upper ends. They are advantageous in comparison to the flow motion baskets in that they allow thinner walls and also permit the use of a lighter weight design, which design can also be substantially simpler whereby manufacturing costs are minimized. However, baskets which operate on the positioning principle also possess several disadvantages or inconveniences which make their use undesirable. For example, baskets of this type require that the operator hold the basket and accurately position it in a desired relationship relative to another basket before permitting the basket to be dropped into a nested or stacked relationship.'This requires that the operator hold the basket for a longer period of time, so that the operator thus feels the weight of the basket. Baskets of this type are thus more tiring on the operator and they cannot be conveniently stacked as high. Further, baskets of this type normally cannot have the side walls tied together, and thus the baskets are more likely to become deformed. Baskets of this type also cannot be continuously nested, but rather can be nested only in groups of predetermined numbers, which groups must then be stacked.

Thus, as explained above, prior known baskets having no movable parts, whether they utilize the flow motion" principle or the positioning principle, nevertheless possess different inconveniences which make their use undesirable. However, even though the baskets having no movable parts do possess such inconveniences, nevertheless they have, in the past, been extensively utilized since they possess numerous advantages not possessed by baskets having movable parts.

Thus, prior to the present invention, wire baskets having movable parts have met with only limited success since they have been rather costly to manufacture, and have been inconvenient to utilize.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wire container, particularly a basket having movable parts, which possesses substantially all of the advantages of baskets having no movable parts, without any of their inconveniences. Particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a wire container which is constructed to provide substantially all of the above described desirable features or characteristics.

The present invention thus relates to a wire container or basket having movable parts and which possesses the following advantages:

1. Ease of stacking from all four directions.

2. Ease of nesting without requiring rocking.

3. Can be stacked by placing all or a portion of the container on top of a like container and then can be slid into stacked position, i.e., it is capable of blind stacking.

- 4. Has thin side walls, approximately no more than two wire diameters thick.

5. ls lightin weight, such as, for bread handling purposes, preferably between 9 and pounds.

6. Is economical to manufacture.

7. Can be nested continuously, i.e., without limitation as to the number of containers that can be nested in one group.

8. ls designed to substantially eliminate cantilever loading at the positions where the bails are joined to the side walls and to minimize cantilever loading at the bottom of the basket.

9. Has sidewalls which are tied together to increase the strength and rigidity of the container.

I0. Is substantially nondirectional in that it can be nested or stacked even if rotated 180.

A container constructed according to the present invention is thus desirable, particularly to the customer, since it results in less handling time and effort, reduces the handling weight, permits increased payloads in trucks and plants, results in lower initial cost, and possesses substantial durability to result in increased life.

The present invention therefore relates to an openended wire container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers which comprises a base, a pair of opposite substantially vertical side walls and a pair of transversely mounted bails at the open ends thereof. The base comprises a generally rectangular frame member which has side and end portions. The

. side portions have, adjacent each of the end portions,

an arcuately bent indentation. A series of spaced-apart parallel ribs have their opposite ends respectively secured to the end portions of the frame member. A plurality of transverse parallel spaced-apart crossmembers are secured to the side portions of the frame member and have upturned ends forming the vertical side walls of the container. The upturned ends are inclined to permit nesting and to provide support for a superposed container. The upturned ends on each side wall are interconnected at their upper part by a pair of vertically spaced parallel side ribs. Each extremity of a pair of side ribs has a bail support provided with an aperture and a support portion. The bails have their respective ends journalled in these apertures and are provided with opposite bent end portions which sit on the support portions. When the bails are swung inwardly,

the bails extend into the arcuate bent indentations of the frame member of a superposed container and pro vide a stacked relation. The bails may also be swung outwardly into an inoperative position whereby the superposed container nests within the bottom container.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the further and more detailed description of the preferred forms of construction as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a container constructed according to the present invention with the bails positioned outwardly in the nesting position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the upper lefthand corner of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the lower righthand corner of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1-,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along the line VA-VA in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of three containers constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in stacked and nested relationships;

FIG. 8 is a broken cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of that shown in FIG. 9 and showing a modified plate member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a wire container, particularly a basket, constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating therein a modified support structure for the swingable bails;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a modified bail support;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a modified container having a modified base design; and

FIG. I6 is a bottom plan view of a further modified base design.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 11, there is shown a container 12 consisting of a base 14 and of two opposite substantially vertical and parallel side walls 16 and 18. The base 14 consists of a generally rectangular frame member 20 with opposite end and side rails 21 and 22, respectively. The base 14 is substantially planar and includes a series of parallel spaced-apart ribs 23 which have their opposite ends welded to the end rails 21. A

plurality of spaced-apart parallel transverse crossmembers 24, of substantially greater diameter than that of the ribs 23 extend underneath and are welded to the ribs 23. The cross-members 24 extend above and are welded to the side rails 22.

The cross-members 24 comprise a horizontal section 24A and two opposite upturned end sections 248 and 24C forming the generally planar side walls of the container. The upturned end sections of the cross members inclined to permit nesting and to provide support for a nested container (see FIG. 7). The endmost end sections 2413-1, 248-2, 24C-1 and 24C-2 are inclined upwardly and outwardly so that their upper ends are close to the bails to reduce cantilevering. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the intermediate upturned end sections on onehalf of the container, such as the leftward half illustrated in FIG. 1, are substantially parallel and are inclined upwardly and outwardly, whereas the intermediate upturned end sections on the other half of the container, namely the rightward half in FIG. 1, are upwardly and outwardly inclined in the opposite direction, whereby the middle pair of upturned end sections thus converge in a downward direction in an approximate V-shape. However, other arrangements of the intermediate upturned end portions, such as an inverted V, can also provide nesting and the invention is not limited to the particular arrangement of the intermediate end portions illustrated. The angle of inclination of the endmost end sections 24B-1, 24B-2, 24C-1 and 24C-2 can vary within a wide range, but generally is within the range of 7 to l5, preferably about 9". This provides an acceptably low 18 cantilevering effect at the bottom of the container, while maintaining adequate spacing of the ribs 38 and 40, 42 and 44 (hereinafter described) and still achieving proper nesting.

The container 12 has opposite substantially open ends 26 and 28 (FIG. 11) to provide free access to the contents of the container when the containers are in stacked relationship. However, to prevent the contents from sliding out of the container, the opposite end portions of the rectangular frame member 20, namely, the end rails 21, may be offset upwardly to form stops. However, this is not an essential feature of the invention. The side rails 22 adjacent the end rails 21 have inverted U-shaped indentations or recesses 34 and 36 (see FIG. 3) formed adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and the opposite end portions of ribs 23 extend over the axis of these recesses and have their extremities welded to the end rails 21.

The upturned ends 24B and 24C of side walls 16 and 18 are interconnected at their upper parts by a pair of vertically spaced-apart parallel side ribs 38 and 40, 42 and 44. At the extremities of these side ribs are welded plate members 46, 48, 50 and 52. These plate members are provided with apertures to receive the free ends of bails 54 and 56. Each of the plate members has an inwardly directed V-shaped support portion, as shown at 58, 60, 62 and 64. The bails 54 and 56 respectively have opposite Z-shaped bent end portions 54A and 54B, 56A and 56B, which find support on the respective support portions. The free ends of the bails 54 and 56 extend through the apertures formed in the support plates and have washers 55 (FIGS. 5 and 5A) welded to the free ends of the bails for preventing the bails from separating from the support plates, while at the same time the bails are freely pivotable relative to the support plates. The upper surface of the support portion, such as the support portion 60 illustrated in FIG.

, 5, is disposed directly below the bail and acts as a stop for supporting the bail when same is in either the stacking position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 5A, or in the nesting position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5A. The support portions thus limit the bails to a permissible angular movement of substantially 180. It will be noted that the ends of the ribs 38, 40, 42 and 44, and the outer edges of plate members 46, 48, 50 and 52 lie in the same vertical plane with the end rails 21 of the base. When the bails 54 and 56 are swung outwardly to nesting position, the central transverse portions thereof are spaced outwardly a small distance (FIG. 4) of less than one wire diameter from the aforesaid vertical plane so that the base of another like container can be inserted for nesting. In the inward stacking position of the bails, they are vertically aligned with the indentations 34 and 36. In both positions of the bails, they rest on the supports, such as the support 60. In the stacking (inward) positions of the bails, they are supported on the supports at positions very close to the adjacent upturned ends 24B-1, 24B-2, 24C-1 and 24C-2, i.e., less than one wire diameter therefrom. As a result the cantilever loading caused by the stacking of another like container thereon is reduced to a minimum.

The side walls 16 and 18 each have a maximum thickness of approximately two wire diameters. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, since the support plate 48 extends between and is welded to the side ribs 38 and 40. The support portion 60 of the support plate 48 extends inwardly to a point substantially in the same vertical plane as the inwardmost point of the upwardly extending ends 24B. Also, the outer free end of the bail 56 is disposed in alignment with and between the side ribs 38 and 40, and the intermediate portion of the Z- shaped end 56A of the bail 56 is likewise disposed almost completely within the boundaries defined by the upwardly extending portions 24B. Thus, the side walls 16 and 18, including the pivotable support of the bails on the support plates, have a maximum thickness of approximately two wire diameters. The ends 26 and 28 of the container likewise have a maximum thickness of substantially equal to two wire diameters. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when the bail 56 is in its outer nesting position, as illustrated by solid lines, the end 28 has an effective thickness slightly in excess of two wire diameters, which thickness is determined by the wire diameter of the bail 56 taken in combination with the wire diameter of the end rail rib 21, which members necessar ily have a small clearance space provided therebetween to permit the end rails 21 of one container to freely pass between the bails of another container when the bails are in the outward position to permit theone container to be moved freely downwardly into nested relationship with the other container. The base 14 has a thickness of two wire diameters plus the diameter of the thin wires 23.

Referring to FIGS. 740, wherein the drawings disclose three similarly constructed containers, their corresponding parts will be given corresponding numbers but these members will be followed by a prime mark or a double prime mark. When bails 54 and 56 of container 12 are swung outwardly, the superposed container 12" is received in a nested relationship with the upturned ends 24B" of cross members 24" finding support on the upturned ends 2413' of cross members 24. Further when in the nested relationship, the lower side ribs 40 and 44".of the upper container are disposed directly adjacent and substantially abutting on' the upper side ribs 34' and 42' of the container 12'. With the bails 54 and 56 of container 12 pivoted inwardly until the bent portions 54a, 56a, 54b and 56b find support on support portions 58, 60, 62 and 64 respectively, a stacked relationship is made possible as illustrated for container 12 and container 12'. With the bails inwardly positioned, the bails 54 and 56 are in vertical alignment with the recesses 34 and 36'.

One important feature of the present invention is the economy of storage and transporting space now made possible with the present construction. With this particular design, it is now possible to have side walls, the thickness of which equals approximately twice the diameter of a wire. As evident in FIG. 4, because walls 16 and 18 are vertical, the thickness of wall 16, for example, equals the diameter of wire 38 plus the diameter of wire 248. The container of the present invention is most frequently made of wire material having a thickness varying in accordance with the use of the container; thicknesses usually encountered are about onefourth inch for cross members 24 and about one-eighth inch for ribs 23.

Another of the important features of the present invention is the possibility with the present construction to perform blind stacking as previously explained. With bails 54 and 56 inwardly positioned and resting on the support portions 58, 60, 62 and 64, the stacking of a superposed container may be effected from either side or either end. In stacking from the side, the top container will normally be rested on the top rib 38 or 42, the top container will be moved along said rib, using same as a guide, until indentations 34' and 36' are laterally aligned with bails 54 and 56, following which the top container is pushed laterally until said indentations drop into place on said bails. ln stacking from the ends, the top container will normally be positioned slightly askew of the lower container with one of its sides 22 resting on the rib 38 or 42, the top container will be slid longitudinally on said rib, using it as a guide, until the indentations 34 and 36' are substantially laterally aligned with the bails, following which the basket is swung sideways to place the indentations on the bails. In either case, once a portion of the top container has been placed on top of the lower container, the user is no longer required to support the entire weight of the container and it can be easily slid as needed to effect stacking. The shapes of the parts facilitate ease of movement during stacking.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate therein a modified container construction wherein the support plates utilized on the container illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 are eliminated, and the ends of the upper support ribs 38, 40, 42 and 44 are deformed to provide a suitable pivot support for the ends of the bail. Particularly, the extremities of the ribs 38 and 40 are each bent inwardly into longitudinal alignment with the wires 24B and also are bent toward one another in a Z-shape so as to have parallel portions 38A and 40A disposed closely adjacent one another. The free end of one of the ribs, such as the portion 40A, is also formed with a hook 408 on the end thereof which overlaps the portion 38A to define a recess or aperture therebetween. The bail 54 is pivotally mounted by being provided with an inwardly directed U-shaped hook portion 54' on the end thereof, whereupon the center straight portion of the bail extends over the upper straight rib portion 38A and the free end of the bail then extends into the aperture. A platelike retainer member 57 is welded to the free end of the bail 56. A pair of laterally extending projections 59 are adapted to engage the hook 54' for limiting the outward pivotable motion of the bail, thereby holding the bail in its outermost position (as illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 12) for permitting nesting of similar containers. The remainder of the structure of the container illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the manner in which same is utilized for permitting nesting or stacking, is

identical to' the structure and operation explained above.

FIG. 10 also illustrates a modified design for at least one of the plate members 46, 48, 50 and 52 at each end of the container. It may be desirable to provide a means for releasably retaining the bails 54 and 56 in their outward (nesting) positions in order to prevent undesired movement thereof into their inward stacking position. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways by altering the shapes of the plate members 46, 48, 50 and '52, or the washers 55, or the Z-shaped end portions 54A, 54B, 56A and 563 to create binding between the bail and the plate members. A convenient way of doing so, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is to deform the outer end of the plate member to form an inwardly projecting dimple 72 which is located above and projects a small distance over the Z-shaped end portion of the bail when same is in its outward position. Thus, the dimple 72 prevents accidental pivoting of the bail, but when it is intended to pivot the ball, the same can be done by forcing the bail past the dimple.

FIG. 14 shows a modified design of the plate members 46, 48, 50 and 52. In this embodiment the support portion 60C of the plate member 52C has oppositely sloped sections 74 and 76 which intersect at an included angle of about 225, so that the end portions of the bails slope downwardly in both positions thereof. Gravity serves to retain the bails in their respective positions to prevent accidental flipping over the bails. The use of downwardly sloped bails as illustrated in FIG. 14 is particularly desirable when a plurality of baskets are nested because, in this position, the bails 56 assume the position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 14. Lifting of one basket out of its nesting relationship with respect to another basket may result in the bottom siderail of the upper basket hitting the bail 56 of the lower basket so as to cause the ball 56 to pivot upwardly. However, since the bail is initially sloped downwardly as illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 14, striking of the bail S6 of a lower basket by upward movement of an upper basket first causes the bail 56 to move outwardly in a horizontal direction as it is being swung upwardly, thereby increasing the clearance space between the bails on opposite sides of the basket to thus permit freer passage of the upper basket as it is being unnested. In this embodiment the edge 78 of the plate member is inclined with respect to the vertical so that upper rib 42C is shorter than the rib 44C. In effect, the upper corner of the plate member is rounded-ofi to reduce the risk of tearing the clothes or scratching the hands of workmen.

FIG. 15 illustrates a modified base design in which the central portions of the horizontai sections 24A of the cross members 24 are bent downwardly so as to lie in the same horizontal plane as the side rails 22. The ribs 23 are secured to the central portions. In this fashion the thickness of the base is only two wire diameters, which is desirable to minimize space requirements.

FIG. 16 illustrates a modification of the base 14 in which a rectangularly shaped wire frame 80 is secured to the cross members 24 and is located between the side rails 22 and substantially coplanar with said side rails. This provides the base 14 with a continuous support surface so that it functions as if it had a smooth underside. This makes the container suitable for use on conveyors and also strengthens the base without increasing the thickness thereof.

The bails can be swung between their inward and outward positions manually and also, if desired, by relatively simple mechanical devices so that they can be used with automatic stacking, loading and nesting equipment in an automated material handling installation. Since the stacking and nesting of the containers can be effected by essentially simple straight-line motions, automation of the handling thereof can be readily carried out. In contrast, the prior art containers were not well adapted for such purposes, because of the relatively complex motions required for stacking and/or nesting the containers.

The structure of the present invention is highly desirable since the wire baskets can be continuously nested to greatly facilitate compact storage thereof when in the empty condition. That is, the construction of the container does not impose any limitation on the number of containers that can be nested. Further, the baskets can be easily nested merely by inserting one basket directly downwardly into another basket. This nesting relationship can be performed without requiring any rocking or tilting movement of the baskets. Further, when the baskets are in the stacked relationship, which is made permissible merely by swinging the bails into their inwardmost positions, the baskets can be easily stacked merely by positioning an edge of one container on an edge of a lower container, whereupon the upper container can be slidably moved on the lower container until the recesses of the upper container register with the bails of the lower container. This thus causes the containers to be positively engaged and thus prevents the containers from sliding laterally relative to one another. Thus, the containers are easily stacked in a very stable relationship, thereby preventing the stacked containers from being accidently dislodged. Also, with the containers in the stacked position, the opposite ends of the containers are completely open, as defined between the lower end rail and the bail, thereby permitting the goods or merchandise stored within the containers to be easily removed without destroying the stacked relationship of the containers. Also, since the containers are longitudinally symmetrical, the containers can be easily stacked or nested irrespective of the orientation of the opposite ends of the containers. Also, the bail and bail support do not interfere with product storage or nesting. When the containers are stacked, there is 100 percent visual control and access to the product contained therein. Moreover, because the bails are in their inner position when containers are stacked, the cantilever loading effect is minimized to thereby increase the durability of the container.

It is possible that the bails can become vertically deformed during use. However, such can be readily corrected by swinging the bails 180 and then reforming the bails to their correct shape by pressing thereon.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention and attended claims. 7

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising:

a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting;

said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides;

each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith;

each of said side walls also including a pair of vertically spaced parallel ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith; and

bail supports attached to said ribs adjacent the ends thereof, the ends of said bails being pivotally mounted on said bail supports, said bail supports having support means associated therewith for supporting said bails in both of said positions.

2. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which said support members are continuations of said cross members.

3. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which the base, sides and bails are made of wire and in which the thickness of each of said side walls is substantially equal to that of two diameters of wire.

4. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which each of said bail supports is a plate member extending between and secured to said ribs, said plate member having an opening through which extends the end of said bail, said plate having an inwardly extending bail support disposed below said opening and said bail having a portion engageable with said support.

5. An open-ended container according to claim 4, in which said plate members and said bails have interengaging portions for creating a binding therebetween to prevent accidental movement of said bails between said positions.

6. An open-ended container according to claim 5, in which at least one of said plate members associated with each bail has an inwardly projecting portion adapted to overlie and create a binding with a portion of its associated bail.

7. An open-ended container according to claim 4, in which said plate members each has an inwardly projecting support underlying said bail, said support having upper support surfaces which diverge downwardly on opposite sides of the pivot axis of the bail so that the bail is supported in a downwardly inclined disposition in both positions thereof.

8. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising a base including a generally rectangular frame member made of wire and having opposite side and end portions, said side portions having arcuately bent indentations adjacent said end portions, said base including a series of spaced-apart parallel wire ribs having their opposite ends respectively secured to the end portions of said frame member and a plurality of transverse parallel wire cross members secured to said side portions of said frame member and having their opposite ends upturned forming a pair of opposite substantially vertical side walls, said upturned ends being inclined to permit nesting and to provide support for a superposed like container; a pair of vertically spaced parallel side wire ribs secured externally to said upturned ends at the upper part thereof; and comer plate members having an aperture therethrough and a support extension on the inner face thereof adjacent said aperture; and a pair of transversely extending wire bails disposed at the open ends of the container, said bails having their opposite ends received in corresponding apertures in said corner plate members and being pivotable therein, said bails having opposite bent end portions resting on said support extensions when said bails are swung inwardly, whereby said bails receive the indentations of a superposed container and provide a stacked relation, said bails being also outwardly swingable into an inoperative position whereby the superposed container is received in a nesting relationship with the bottom container.

9. A container as defined in claim 8, wherein the thickness of each of said opposite side walls is equal to that of two diameters of wire, that of said upturned ends of said cross members and that of the side ribs.

10. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising:

a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting;

said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides, the central portions of said cross members being coplanar with the sides of said frame member; and

each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith.

11. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising:

a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting;

said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides;

each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith; and

a support frame attached to the underside of said base and extending thereacross between the sides of said frame memberand substantially coplanar with said sides.

12. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising:

a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said baiis being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container canbe moved therebetween for nesting;

said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides;

each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith;

each of said side walls also including a pair of vertically spaced parallel ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith, said ribs having interfitting end portions at both ends thereof defining an opening at each end, said end portions being bent toward each other into abutting engagement and thence one end portion being bent over the other end portion to define said opening, and said bails having end portions extending into said openings for pivotal movement therein.

13. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising:

a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane ofsaid side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith;

each said side wall also including a pair of vertically spaced, substantially parallel and substantially straight ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith; and

bail support means fixedly attached to and extending between said ribs adjacent the ends thereof, said bail support means including a flattened portion, and the ends of said bails being pivotally supported on said flattened portions whereby said bails are pivotably mounted for movement between said first and second positions.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the base, side walls and bails are made of wire, and wherein the thickness of each of said side walls is substantially equal to that of two diameters of wire.

15. A container according to claim 13, wherein said bail support means includes stop means associated therewith for supporting said bails in both of said first and second positions.

* i I 0' i 

1. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising: a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting; said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides; each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith; each of said side walls also including a pair of vertically spaced parallel ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith; and bail supports attached to said ribs adjacent the ends thereof, the ends of said bails being pivotally mounted on said bail supports, said bail supports having support means associated therewith for supporting said bails in both of said positions.
 2. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which said support members are continuations of said cross members.
 3. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which the base, sides and bails are made of wire and in which the thickness of each of said side walls is substantially equal to that of two diameters of wire.
 4. An open-ended container according to claim 1, in which each of said bail supports is a plate member extending between and secured to said ribs, said plate member having an opening through which extends the end of said bail, said plate having an inwardly extending bail support disposed below said opening and said bail having a portion engageable with said support.
 5. An open-ended containeR according to claim 4, in which said plate members and said bails have interengaging portions for creating a binding therebetween to prevent accidental movement of said bails between said positions.
 6. An open-ended container according to claim 5, in which at least one of said plate members associated with each bail has an inwardly projecting portion adapted to overlie and create a binding with a portion of its associated bail.
 7. An open-ended container according to claim 4, in which said plate members each has an inwardly projecting support underlying said bail, said support having upper support surfaces which diverge downwardly on opposite sides of the pivot axis of the bail so that the bail is supported in a downwardly inclined disposition in both positions thereof.
 8. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising a base including a generally rectangular frame member made of wire and having opposite side and end portions, said side portions having arcuately bent indentations adjacent said end portions, said base including a series of spaced-apart parallel wire ribs having their opposite ends respectively secured to the end portions of said frame member and a plurality of transverse parallel wire cross members secured to said side portions of said frame member and having their opposite ends upturned forming a pair of opposite substantially vertical side walls, said upturned ends being inclined to permit nesting and to provide support for a superposed like container; a pair of vertically spaced parallel side wire ribs secured externally to said upturned ends at the upper part thereof; and corner plate members having an aperture therethrough and a support extension on the inner face thereof adjacent said aperture; and a pair of transversely extending wire bails disposed at the open ends of the container, said bails having their opposite ends received in corresponding apertures in said corner plate members and being pivotable therein, said bails having opposite bent end portions resting on said support extensions when said bails are swung inwardly, whereby said bails receive the indentations of a superposed container and provide a stacked relation, said bails being also outwardly swingable into an inoperative position whereby the superposed container is received in a nesting relationship with the bottom container.
 9. A container as defined in claim 8, wherein the thickness of each of said opposite side walls is equal to that of two diameters of wire, that of said upturned ends of said cross members and that of the side ribs.
 10. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising: a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting; said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides, the central portions of said cross members being coplanar with the sides of said frame member; and each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith.
 11. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like Containers, comprising: a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting; said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides; each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith; and a support frame attached to the underside of said base and extending thereacross between the sides of said frame member and substantially coplanar with said sides.
 12. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising: a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting; said base comprising a peripheral wire frame member having opposite sides and opposite ends, a plurality of substantially parallel ribs extending between and secured to said ends, and a plurality of transverse parallel cross members extending between and secured to said sides; each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in the plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith; each of said side walls also including a pair of vertically spaced parallel ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith, said ribs having interfitting end portions at both ends thereof defining an opening at each end, said end portions being bent toward each other into abutting engagement and thence one end portion being bent over the other end portion to define said opening, and said bails having end portions extending into said openings for pivotal movement therein.
 13. An open-ended container adapted for stacking and nesting with other like containers, comprising: a generally rectangular base, a pair of opposite generally planar side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the base, the ends of the container being open, and a pair of bails movably attached to said side walls adjacent the upper edges thereof and extending transversely between said side walls adjacent the ends thereof, said bails being movable between a first inward position in which they are supportingly engageable with the base of a like container for stacking and a second outward position in which the base of a like container can be moved therebetween for nesting; each of said side walls being formed of a plurality of nestable support members, said support members in each side wall being inclined with respect to the vertical in The plane of said side wall so that a like container can be nested therewith; each said side wall also including a pair of vertically spaced, substantially parallel and substantially straight ribs externally secured to said support members adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the uppermost ribs on one container engage and support the lowermost ribs on a like container nested therewith; and bail support means fixedly attached to and extending between said ribs adjacent the ends thereof, said bail support means including a flattened portion, and the ends of said bails being pivotally supported on said flattened portions whereby said bails are pivotably mounted for movement between said first and second positions.
 14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the base, side walls and bails are made of wire, and wherein the thickness of each of said side walls is substantially equal to that of two diameters of wire.
 15. A container according to claim 13, wherein said bail support means includes stop means associated therewith for supporting said bails in both of said first and second positions. 